A community member has pleaded guilty to unlawful assault in the Ballarat Magistrates Court following an incident in which coffee was thrown at Hepburn Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Thomas.
The court issued a fine and placed the individual on a good behaviour bond, a result the Council says proves that abusive behaviour toward public servants will not be tolerated. While the council expressed satisfaction with the legal resolution, it is using the verdict to push for broader systemic changes to safety.
The council is now formally advocating for legislative reform at both the state and federal levels to address a rising tide of workplace hostility:
- Workplace Protection Orders: A call for the State Government to explicitly include local government staff and elected officials within the scope of these orders, providing them the same legal safeguards as other sectors.
- Federal Oversight: An appeal to the Federal Government to bolster the powers of the eSafety Commissioner. The council is seeking more robust interventions against coordinated online abuse and high-volume digital attacks targeting council staff.
The Council believes such reforms are “essential” to maintaining the integrity of public service and ensuring a safe environment for those working in the local government sector.